Boxing | South Africa

WBA officials at Hekkie's fight

World Boxing Association officials will be at ringside when Hekkie Budler fights at Emperors Palace on March 1.

Budler, who is scheduled to defend his IBO strawweight title against Karluis Diaz, has also been recognised as WBA champion since Japan's Ryo Miyazaki relinquished the title.

Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman said in Johannesburg on Friday they had been in contact with the WBA and had “received the assurance that Hekkie is indeed recognised as their strawweight champion.

"The full complement of WBA officials who attend title fights will be at Emperors Palace next Saturday to dispel any doubts about the issue."

If Budler beats Diaz in his fifth defence of his IBO title the South African will receive the organisation's special award to boxers who reach this landmark.

The African Explosion tournament was postponed from February 15 to March 1. In the main supporting bout, undefeated Rayno Liebenberg will defend his WBC international light-heavyweight title against Joey Vegas of Uganda.

Vegas has won 16 and lost 6 of his professional bouts and is undefeated in his five most recent fights.